Article 2015

A Novel Paradigm for Engineering Education: Virtual Internships with Individualized Mentoring and Assessment of Engineering Thinking

CN
Chesler, Naomi C.
 RA
Ruis, A. R.
 CW
Collier, Wesley
 SZ
Swiecki, Zachari Lucius
 AI
Arastoopour Irgens, Golnaz
 SD
Shaffer, David Williamson
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
Journal · Vol. 137 · Issue 2 · Art. 024701
Abstract

Engineering virtual internships are a novel paradigm for providing authentic engineering experiences in the first-year curriculum. They are both individualized and accommodate large numbers of students. As we describe in this report, this approach can (a) enable students to solve complex engineering problems in a mentored, collaborative environment; (b) allow educators to assess engineering thinking; and (c) provide an introductory experience that students enjoy and find valuable. Furthermore, engineering virtual internships have been shown to increase students' - and especially women's - interest in and motivation to pursue engineering degrees. When implemented in first-year engineering curricula more broadly, the potential impact of engineering virtual internships on the size and diversity of the engineering workforce could be dramatic. © © 2015 by ASME.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Engineering education design thinking epistemic network analysis engineering thinking cornerstone design epistemic frame theory

Index Keywords

Professional aspects Curricula Engineering education human medical education Internship and Residency Article Students motivation education Student satisfaction Design thinking medical student Virtual reality teacher career planning thinking personal experience Mentors Education, Distance Biomedical engineering engineering Collaborative environments Engineering degrees Complex networks First-year engineering Engineering thinkings Complex engineering problems First-year curriculum Frame theory
Author Affiliations
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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